These dive sites, although not as popular as Aliwal Shoal, are just as spectacular and we can take you there. They are, however, advanced dive sites due to their depths. The dive sites lie approximately 9km to the southwest of the main Aliwal reef. Described below are the more popular of the many nearby reefs:

Landers

There are two reefs in this area. The most frequently dived is referred to either as Landers or as Inner Landers. It has the most spectacular marine life and topography. The reef is rugged with large cracks or fissures. Its seaward side has an almost vertical drop off, reaching about 32m while the landward side slopes more gently towards the sand, reaching a depth of approximately 35m. The reef top sits at more or less 21m.

The reef is generously landscaped with pink thistle corals which carpet the reef top and are enjoyed by thousands of schooling goldies. There are also stunning black and green corals.

Game fish such as king mackerel (couta) queen mackerel (Natal snoek), barracuda, kingfish and geelbek (Cape salmon) regularly patrol the reef. Sharks such as Zambezi’s and hammerheads sometimes appear from the blue and raggies reside here in the winter months. Bottlenose dolphins and humpback whales are also often in the vicinity.

Due to the depth, a thermocline (a layer in which there is a rapid decrease in water temperature with depth) is commonly encountered. Be aware that it is a relatively small reef, which makes diving in a strong current very difficult.

Landers lies approximately 4km from shore.

Cowrie

The second reef (sometimes referred to as Outer Landers) lies about 200m further out to sea and rises from a depth of approximately 35m up to the reef top at around 21m. The reef is deeply undercut with many caves and swim-thru’s and spectacular drop-off’s on the inside edge.

This dive has a less dramatic topography when compared to Landers and is shallower and flatter, reaching a maximum depth of approximately 27m, with the reef top at about 21m.

The reef is named after the different cowrie shells that can be found sitting next to or on the numerous sponges that they browse on.

The distance from the southern to northern pinnacles is around 120m. Cowrie lies approximately 4km from the shore.

Fern Coral

A good place to spot the elusive longnose hawkfish and a favourite dive site amongst some local divers. The reef is aptly named after its abundance of fern coral.

It consists of a long ledge about 400m long and 20m wide. Maximum depth is approximately 26m with the reef top at about 19m.

The reef lies around 2km from the shore.

Umzimai Wall

This is a large relatively narrow reef which runs in excess of 600m. The northern area is the shallowest and most often dived. Here the reef has a high point of 25m and a spectacular drop off on the outer edge reaching 32m and a gradual slope on the inner edge reaching 39m. Because it is a relatively long reef it is a good choice for a drift dive in strong currents.

It has magnificent huge black branched corals and long branches of whip coral. Rarely dived, it makes for a magnificent experience with its curious fish that have often never encountered a diver. There is a surprising array of reef fish on this deep dive and it is well known for its pelagic game fish. Raggies are common in winter and other shark encounters may include Great white, Zambezi, Dusky, Blacktip, Bronze Whaler (Copper), Thresher, Great and Scalloped Hammerhead sharks.

The reef lies approximately 4km from the shore.

Butchers

To the north of Landers, this reef reaches a maximum depth of 25m, with the reef top at about 20m. There are big boulders with crevices, gullies and a wall around 6m high.

The normal tropical fish can be seen but be sure to look into the many caves and overhangs for loggerhead turtles that enjoy napping there.

The reef lies approximately 2km from the shore.

Please bring your dive card with you. We have a strict NO CARD NO DIVE policy!